Air Vice Marshal Keith Park Quotes in Battle of Britain (1969)

[With the aid of an interpreter, Edwards has berated the Polish pilots for attacking German bombers against orders, before pulling a telegram out of his pocket]

Squadron Leader Edwards: Finally, and God alone knows why, I've received the following signal:

[looks down]

Squadron Leader Edwards: "Congratulations! As of today, this Squadron is operational." Signed, Air Vice Marshall Keith Park, AOC 11 Group

[the men start cheering, and Squadron Leader Edwards smirks, before the scene changes to Dowding's office]

Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding: I was wrong about the Poles.

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: We also have the second Polish Squadron.

Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding: [Donning his cap] I *thought* you'd mention them. Allright, make them operational.

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: And the Canadians?

Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding: And the Czechs. We need them *all!*

[They exit]

[Park has just landed, to be met by Group Captain Hope]

Group Capt. Hope: Bad as we thought, Sir?

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: [upset] Worse! Kenley and Biggin are a *shambles* and the rest not much better. God Knows how many aircraft we'll have in the morning! All because 12 Group couldn't do their stuff. Leigh-Mallory and his big wings! Might as well stay on the *ground* for all the *use* they are!

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: [during the raids on September 15th] Is everything up?

Wing Cmdr. Willoughby: The lot, Sir!

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: Reserves?

Wing Cmdr. Willoughby: None!

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: That's what I've just told the Prime Minister!

[walks back into office with Winston Churchill watching the progress]

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: [on being told that the radar stations are out of action due to German bombing] So we're blind, so now we've only got the Observer Corps!

Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory: [protesting to Dowding] We were up, sir, trying to knock out the enemy air mass. It takes time to assemble forty or fifty aircraft at...

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: [interrupting] It takes far too long! By the time your "Big Wing" is up, the enemies have already hit their targets and are on their way home.

Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory: All that matters is to shoot them down in large numbers. I'd rather destroy fifty after they've hit their targets than ten before.

Air Vice Marshal Keith Park: Don't forget, the targets are my airfields, Leigh-Mallory. And you're not getting fifty. You're not even getting ten!